There are often a lot of factors behind a player’s breakout season: health, opportunity, mental/physical adjustments, luck.

In Julian Merryweather’s case, all of the above might apply in one form or another.

The talent has always been there for the right-hander but the health has not. Injuries have been an issue throughout his career with Toronto and Cleveland, limiting him to only 70 games since 2017 (minors and majors).

Merryweather has nearly reached that number this season alone, with 66 appearances and 68.1 innings as a lockdown reliever in the back end of the Cubs bullpen.

“Julian’s done a really nice job of coming in, working on being consistent, staying healthy and mixing things up a little bit,” David Ross said. “You see the success. He’s been great for us, man. We wouldn’t be where we’re at without him, for sure.”

The Cubs took a flier on Merryweather in January, claiming the 31-year-old reliever off waivers from the Blue Jays. He’s responded by delivering a breakout season — 5-1, 3.42 ERA, 12.4 K/9, 17 holds and just notched his 1st save in Chicago on Sunday at Wrigley Field.

“I’m really happy to do that here for this organization that believed in me, picked me up in the offseason,” Merryweather said. “It goes back to all the people that have helped me along the way. I feel like I owe so much thanks to everyone from high school days all the way through that put me here.

“It’s just a great feeling to finally be able to actualize some of that.”

He was due for some good luck in the injury department and while Merryweather made some impactful changes in his mechanics and preparation to help keep him on the field, he also has his mom to thank.

“I think all it takes is a little luck,” Merryweather said. “My mom’s big. She leaves me four-leaf clovers in my hats so I always have good luck on my side.”

That’s right: Whenever you see Merryweather out there on the mound for the Cubs, chances are he has a four-leaf clover tucked in his hat.

His mom takes her superstition to another level. She’ll often change seats during a game for good luck, Merryweather says, but she is always on the hunt for a physical token of luck her son can carry with him into games.

“She’s pretty hardcore,” he said. “She takes a lot of responsibility for my performance.”

She used to live in Virginia and followed Merryweather all around for his minor and major league games. She’s now retired and living in Chile, so she has only made it to Wrigley Field once this season.

But she always makes sure her son has a reserve of four-leaf clovers.

“She has a really good eye for them and she tapes them to preserve them a bit,” Merryweather said. “Actually, I need a new batch. She’s gonna send me a new batch here for the playoffs.”

This is a tradition that dates back to Merryweather’s Little League days.

“She’d give four-leaf clovers to everyone on my team before Little League games and they freaking loved it because you’re 12 and they’re like, ‘what?! How’d you find one?!'” Merryweather said, laughing. “She has a weird eye to be able to find the pattern.”

Many athletes are superstitious, wearing the same socks or following the same routine on game days.

Merryweather doesn’t consider himself very superstitious but he is all in on the lucky charm.

“I love the four-leaf clover,” he said. “But some of it at this point, we’re just trying to make sure she’s stable during the game. I don’t want her freaking out. She’s awesome; I love her.”